Cat Behaviour: 3 Reasons Why A Cat Stops Grooming

Have you noticed that your feline friend's fur is looking more scruffy than usual? Has his once beautiful coat begun to look greasy, stained, or matted? This might be because he has stopped grooming and keeping up his appearance altogether. This cat behaviour can be very concerning, so we've come up with a list of our top 3 reasons why a cat might stop grooming.

Old Age: Cats in their senior years may become slower, more fragile, and more forgetful. This forgetfulness is often because of a problem that many senior cats face called cognitive dysfunction syndrome. In these cases, a cat may become confused or may forget whether he has groomed himself today. This could lead to a cat cleaning himself repeatedly, or it could lead to a lack of cleaning altogether.

Oral Problems: Sometimes a cat will stop cleaning because of oral pain including a toothache, painful or swollen gums, or a rotting tooth. In this situation, a cat will simply stop cleaning because it hurts his mouth too much. If you've noticed that your cat has smelly breath, or he has a difficult time eating hard food, this might be a sign of oral pain.

If your cat is having oral problems, take him to the Vet immediately for treatment. Oral problems can be one of the first signs of an underlying medical condition that has the potential to become very serious, so it's best to treat the problem as soon as possible.

Excess Weight: Has your kitty gotten so large that he can barely roll over, let alone reach his belly or his paws to clean them? Overweight cats have a difficult time doing daily tasks that are simple for most cats. If this sounds like your kitty, you may want to help him out by putting him on a diet. Not only will this allow him to groom himself, but it will also help him to live a longer, happier life.

In addition to understanding what is causing this cat behaviour, you should also consider helping your cat out with the task of grooming. Create a weekly routine that includes brushing and cleaning your cat's fur (pet bathing wipes are a good option for this). Not only will this weekly session help to keep your kitty looking his finest, but it may also help to spark his interest in grooming again.